Per-person health care spending increased to nearly $6,000 in 2018

The Health Care Cost Institute’s latest report on health expenditure finds that in 2018, the per-person spending on health care for those under 65 was nearly $6,000. Here’s what else you need to know: 

• 2018 spending: The average health care spending (before rebates and discounts) was more than $5,800 per person. Average out-of-pocket spending was $907 per person. 
• Yearly trends: Spending in 2014 was nearly $5,000, almost 20% less than the 2018 figure. Spending in 2018 was a 4.4% increase over 2017’s figures, which was in turn 4.2% higher than in 2016. 
• Growth factors: The report attributes the increase between 2014-2018 to more expensive services, more services being used over that period, and the slightly older and more female population using health services.